Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Amherst, MA

If possible, you should prioritize pulling weeds up by hand. However, be sure not to use your bare hands, as many weeds are sharp or otherwise irritating when they come in contact with skin. Always don thick, protective gardening gloves to protect your hands when you pull up weeds.

Weeds can grow through rubber mulch, but it depends on if you removed all the weeds in your garden beforehand. Weeds already in the soil can grow even when using rubber mulch. However, that doesn’t mean that your garden will be littered with rubber and weeds, but it does mean that the occasional weed might still pop up. Another way you can increase your weed suppression is by using landscape fabric as a second layer. 

Yellow patches, poor growth, or widespread weeds indicate a need for treatment. Soil testing can confirm nutritional deficiencies that require intervention.

No, it's not really possible to completely prevent weed growth. Weeds are incredibly resilient—all they usually need is a tiny bit of dirt to sprout, so their eventual appearance is pretty much inevitable. However, you can definitely keep them at bay by getting rid of weeds as soon as you notice them. The longer you let them sit and grow roots, the more they'll spread.